James Coppinger: ‘I want to still be playing when I’m 40’

Paul Goodwin

Coppinger - who turned 34 last month - insists he feels fitter and stronger now than he ever has done.

Doncaster’s longest serving player has missed the last four games with an ankle injury but could return to the squad against Port Vale this weekend.

Currently on 440 Rovers appearances, Coppinger is within touching distance of surpassing Colin Douglas’ club record of 468.

But the Guisborough born winger sees no reason to stop there - and he has no plans of hanging up his boots just yet.

“Without a doubt,” replied Coppinger, when asked if he planned to continue playing into his forties.

“I feel as fit and as strong as I ever felt.

“I know I keep saying that and people must think I’m trying to get another contract!

“But I genuinely do, and it’s down to hard work.

“Every morning I’ll do a lot of stretching and work with the physio to make sure I’m not feeling stiff and recover really well.

“I just want to play as long as I can. I love playing football.”

Evergreen Coppinger, who made one Premier League appearance for Newcastle United as a youngster, says he has developed “massively” both physically and mentally since he joined Rovers from Exeter in 2004.